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Friday, March 19, 2010

Illinois Senate Bill Would Strengthen Anti-Buzzing Law

The buzz out of Springfield is that Illinois' anti-buzzing statute is about to get a whole lot tougher. Yesterday, the state senate passed a bill amending a statute which already prohibits motor vehicles from passing less than three feet from a bicyclist on a roadway. The bill, introduced in January by Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, makes it a crime for a motorist to pass "unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist." A driver may be charged with a felony where violation of the law results in "great bodily harm" or permanent injury. The bill also makes it a crime to throw objects at bicyclists.

The bill has been sent to the Illinois House where it is expected to pass.

Will the passage of this law make cycling on Illinois roads safer? Probably not. But it adds an arrow in the quiver of civil practice attorneys and criminal law enforcement officers when going after drivers who injure bicyclists. Bravo.

A driver may be charged with a felony where violation of the law results in "great bodily harm" or permanent injury. The bill also makes it a crime to throw objects at bicyclists.- somanabolic muscle maximizer

The Chicago Bicycle Advocate is published by the Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, a law firm representing bicyclists and bicycle accident victims. 120 South State Street, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

This weblog is meant as a reference guide for bicyclists and bike accident victims. Nothing contained in this blog should be construed as legal advice. The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, nor does it recognize certifications of expertise in any phase of the practice of law by any agency, governmental or private, or by any group, organization or association.

If you would like advice from personal injurylawyers whose focus is representing bicycle accident victims, please contact attorneys Jim Freeman and Brendan Kevenides at 312.629.1901 during business hours or 773.936.8196 24 hours a day.